System and method for supporting broadband communications services

• US 20020073434A1
• Filed: 12/07/2000
• Published: 06/13/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Macrodyne Power LLC
• Original Assignee: Macrodyne Power LLC
• Inventors: Pience, Roger D.
• Application Number:
  US09/732,060
• Publication Number:
  US 20020073434A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/119
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2801 Broadband local area networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2856 Access arrangements, e.g. Internet access asynchronous transfer mode networks H04L12/5601; broadband local area networks H04L12/2801; optical access or distribution networks H04Q11/0067; access to open networks H04L12/5691; digital subscriber line end-user equipment and bit-level processing of data on a PSTN-based network H04M11/00; home network gateways H04L12/2834; wireless access networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2898 Subscriber equipments DSL modems H04M11/062; cable modems H04L12/2801
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4131 home appliance, e.g. lighting, air conditioning system, metering devices home automation data switching networks exchanging configuration information on appliance services H04L12/2807
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42607 for processing the incoming bitstream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44227 Monitoring of local network, e.g. connection or bandwidth variations; Detecting new devices in the local network configuring of peripheral devices in general G06F9/4411; monitoring connectivity in data switched networks H04L43/0811
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/106 for domestic distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0407 using a stored programme control
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13012 Hybrid fiber coax, HFC
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13039 Asymmetrical two-way transmission, e.g. ADSL, HDSL
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1305 Software aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1307 Call setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1308 Power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13093 Personal computer, PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13098 Mobile subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13106 Microprocessor, CPU
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13107 Control equipment for a part of the connection, distributed control, co-processing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13179 Fax, still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1319 Amplifier, attenuation circuit, echo suppressor
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13199 : Modem, modulation
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13202 : Network termination [NT]
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1329 : Asynchronous transfer mode, ATM
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13305 : Transistors, semiconductors in general
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1332 : Logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13322 : Integrated circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13332 : Broadband, CATV, dynamic bandwidth allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13333 : Earth satellites
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 : LAN, internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13396 : Signaling in general, in-band signalling

Abstract

A system, method and computer program product for supporting broadband communications services is provided, and more specifically, a broadband communications network interface unit and power source therefor, The broadband communications network interface unit of the present invention permits multiple services being provided to a subscriber to be combined and provided, supported, and controlled collectively by the network interface unit. Moreover, the present invention provides power for the network interface unit that permits lifeline services, such as telephone, to continue even during potential power outages to the system.

Claims

1. A broadband communications network interface unit for supporting a plurality of services to a residence comprising:

an input module in communication with a network carrying at least one service to a subscriber;

control means in communication with the input module for controlling the network interface;

powering means in communication with the input module and said control module for powering said network interface; and

a program access control module in communication with the input module wherein said program access control module controls the subscribers access to said at least one service.

2. The broadband communications network interface unit of claim 1, further comprising a utility management module in communication with said input module for managing the loads on the network interface.

3. The broadband communications network interface unit of claim 1, further comprising a telephony module in communication with said input module wherein said telephony module provides telephone service to said subscriber.

4. The broadband communications network interface unit of claim 1, further comprising a data module in communication with said input module for providing data services to said subscriber.

5. A broadband communications network interface unit for supporting at least one service to a subscriber comprising:

a primary power supply electrically connected to the network interface unit for supplying power to the plurality of services provided by the network interface unit;

a network power supply electrically connected to the network interface unit for supplying backup power to at least one of the plurality of services supported by the network interface unit;

a power sensor electrically connected to said primary power supply for detecting loss of power from said primary power supply and restoration of power from said primary power source; and

switching means electrically connected to said power sensor for switching the power supplied to the network interface unit from said primary power supply to said network power supply when said power sensor detects a loss of power from said primary power supply and for switching the power supplied to the network interface unit from said network power supply to said primary power supply when said power sensor detects a restoration of power from said primary power supply.

6. A network interface unit according to claim 5, wherein said at least service supported by the network interface unit further comprises at least one service chosen from the group consisting of facsimile service, telephony service, network service, and cable television service.

7. A network interface unit according to claim 5, wherein said network power supply is comprised of power being supplied by a cable television network.

8. A network interface unit according to claim 5, wherein said network power supply provides backup power to at least one of the services supported by the network interface unit wherein the at least one service is telephony service.

9. A network interface unit according to claim 5, wherein said primary power supply is comprised of the subscriber'"'"'s facility electrical system.

10. A method of providing primary power and backup power to a broadband communications network for providing at least one service to a subscriber, the method comprising:

supplying power to the network interface unit via a primary power supply electrically connected to a facility electrical system;

sensing the loss of power from said primary power supply; and

providing power to at least one service via a network power supply when a loss of power is sensed from said primary power supply.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising:

sensing the restoration of power from said primary power supply; and

providing power to said at least one service via said primary power supply when restoration of power is sensed from said primary power supply.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the primary power supply comprises power being supplied by a facility power source.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein said at least one service comprises at least one service chosen from the group consisting of facsimile service, telephony service, networking service, and cable television service.

14. The method according to claim 10, wherein said network power supply is comprised of power being supplied by a cable television network.

15. A power switch for a broadband communications network for switching the power supplied to the broadband communications network between a primary power supply and a secondary power supply.

16. A power switch for a broadband communications network having a primary power source and a secondary power source, wherein said power switch comprises:

sensor means for sensing the loss of power from said primary power source;

switching means for switching the power supplied to the broadband communications network from said primary power source to said secondary power source when said sensor means detects a loss of power from said primary power source.